Scientists are uncovering the true motivation behind a daring trend among a pack of Iberian orcas: pursuing sailboats and deliberately damaging their rudders, as published in BBC.
An extraordinary phenomenon
In the summer of 2022, Andrea Fantini and his crew were sailing off the coast of Morocco, ready to kick off the Globe40 race, a thrilling global regatta. Suddenly, a crew member cried out, “Orca! Orca!” They spotted a massive orca approaching rapidly, followed by a group of six more. The orcas encircled their boat and began attacking the rudder, an unusual and somewhat nerve-wracking experience for the sailors.
These orcas, commonly known as killer whales (although they’re actually dolphins), have never displayed aggression towards humans in the wild. However, since 2020, a peculiar behaviour has emerged among a specific group of orcas residing in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It seems they have come up with a risky new pastime: chasing sailboats and deliberately breaking their rudders.
Recent incidents have gained significant attention. News spread about an orca ramming a boat in the North Sea, followed by another encounter where a pod “attacked” racing boats near the Strait of Gibraltar. Although scientists prefer to refer to these encounters as “interactions,” as the orcas’ motives may be more playful than hostile, it remains an unprecedented phenomenon.
Alfredo López Fernández, an orca researcher at the Atlantic Orca Working Group (GTOA) responsible for monitoring the Iberian orcas, highlights the uniqueness of the situation. While there have been past reports of orcas diving under boats or forcefully colliding with them, resulting in sinking, those instances were isolated and tied to specific circumstances. None of them resembles what is currently happening with these orcas.
Intriguing and puzzling, the recent behaviour of these Iberian orcas has captured the attention of sailors, scientists, and a global audience alike, sparking a quest to understand their motives and shed light on this extraordinary phenomenon.
New behaviour?
A recent analysis of the interactions between orcas and boats in 2020 has revealed a new behaviour where orcas touch, push, and pivot boats, challenging our initial perception of aggressive ramming. According to researcher Alfredo López Fernández, the orcas may be moving the boat or rudder with their heads and bodies because they lack fingers to grasp objects. Ongoing research by orca specialist Renaud de Stephanis involves presenting dummy rudders to wild orcas and filming their behaviour, leading to fresh insights. Rather than biting the rudders, the orcas are observed pushing them with their noses until they break, suggesting it’s more of a playful game than an intentional act of destruction. The game seems to be spreading, with an increase in interactions reported from 2020 to 2022, primarily occurring in the Strait of Gibraltar and expanding to include the coasts of Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, and France along the orcas’ migratory routes. The encounters involve a small group of around 15 identified Iberian orcas out of an estimated population of fewer than 50.
Orca interactions
The alarming consequences of orca interactions with boats are becoming increasingly evident. According to the Cruising Association, three yachts were sunk in 2022 and 2023 as a result of these encounters. Breaking the rudder completely can lead to water rushing in and the boat sinking. Even sailors aboard sturdy racing boats equipped with backup rudders and nearby rescue services can find the experience unnerving.
Sailors have shared their encounters with orcas, highlighting the danger involved. Skipper Jelmer van Beek of the Dutch sailing team JAJO described how three orcas targeted their boat, hitting the rudder during a leg of The Ocean Race in the Atlantic Ocean. The orcas displayed a clear plan and coordination, leaving the team astounded yet aware of the risks they faced.
The Iberian orcas’ behaviour has been closely monitored as part of a project supported by the Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE) and Spain’s Ministry of the Environment. Renaud de Stephanis and his team have extensively used underwater, above-water, and even attached cameras on the orcas themselves to understand the dynamics between the orcas, boats, and dummy rudders. They have discovered that the orcas push the rudder with their noses, using leverage to break it. While detailed results are yet to be released, de Stephanis plans to share them with the public soon, shedding further light on these intriguing and potentially dangerous interactions.
What started this game? And what can be done to stop it?ṣ
In the fourth summer since the trend began, scientists are still unravelling the mystery behind the orcas’ interactions with sailboats. The orca communities around the Strait of Gibraltar had previously developed a feeding strategy involving snatching fish from tuna fishing boats. In 2020, nine orcas, led by three “ringleaders” named White Gladis, Black Gladis, and Grey Gladis, started approaching sailboats, pushing or bumping them, and occasionally breaking the rudder. Over time, more orcas joined them, but they consistently targeted sailboats specifically.
However, researchers caution against labelling these interactions as attacks. They emphasise that the orcas’ intentions are not hostile or aggressive. They believe the behaviour is complex and unrelated to aggression, revenge, or harm towards humans. Orcas are not seeking to eat or harm anyone.
Once the orcas succeed in breaking a rudder, they swim away, indicating that their goal is not to linger or cause further damage. Sailors like Fantini have experienced this firsthand, with the orcas breaking one of the boat’s two rudders and then disappearing without causing other harm.
While the full explanation behind these interactions is still being investigated, it is becoming clear that the orcas’ behaviour is not driven by aggression or revenge but involves a more complex motive that scientists are working to understand.
What exactly is their motivation?
The working group studying the orca interactions has proposed two hypotheses. The first is the “fun or fashion hypothesis,” suggesting that the orcas have innovated a new behaviour and are repeating it. This hypothesis aligns more with the behaviour of young orcas, who have been observed approaching ships, investigating them, and playing in their wake.
The second hypothesis is the “trauma hypothesis.” According to this explanation, one or more orcas may have had a negative experience in the past and are attempting to stop boats to prevent a recurrence. Adult orcas would be more likely to exhibit this behaviour. While the exact triggering event is unknown, some factors support this hypothesis. White Gladis, an adult orca, was likely the initiator of the interactions, and she continued despite having her newborn daughter with her, indicating a solid drive for interaction. Additionally, there have been cases of orcas being injured by fishing lines, which attract them due to the fish being caught. White Gladis may have experienced such an incident, while Black Gladis had injuries potentially caused by humans, and Grey Gladis witnessed a friend getting entangled in fishing lines in 2018.
The exact explanation and triggering event remain uncertain, but these hypotheses provide some insights into the potential motivations behind the orcas’ behaviour. Orcas are known to be cultural beings and can initiate new trends, as highlighted by Lori Marino. Further research and observation will be crucial in unravelling this intriguing phenomenon.
Are humans interfering?
López emphasizes that human activities, albeit indirectly, may be the cause of the orcas’ new behaviours, indicating that we are disturbing them significantly. Marino supports the “fun” theory, noting that orcas are highly intelligent and curious creatures attracted to the undersides and protruding parts of boats. Orcas are cultural beings that often initiate fads within their groups, which can become part of their culture and be passed down through generations. Their remarkable ability to work together facilitates the development of complex traditions and behaviours, such as coordinated hunting strategies and defensive swimming patterns.
Although sailors and orca experts agree that the risky trend should stop, finding effective preventive measures is challenging. The Orca Working Group suggests staying updated on the orcas’ movements through regularly updated maps and avoiding areas where they are known to be present. Renaud de Stephanis recommends the same approach using satellite tracking to reduce interactions. Attempts to scare the orcas away by making noise have shown limited effectiveness.
In summary, human activities may have indirectly influenced the orcas’ behaviours, highlighting the need for increased awareness and respect towards these intelligent creatures. While efforts to prevent interactions continue, there is currently no foolproof method. Staying informed and avoiding areas where orcas are present are the most practical steps for minimizing such encounters.
What about escaping?
Escaping from orcas is nearly impossible due to their incredible speed, with typical speeds ranging from 8-11 knots and the ability to reach up to 29 knots. Sailors have found that attempting to out-speed them is futile, as orcas can easily keep up and may even find the speed exciting. Pouring sand on orcas or throwing objects at them is ineffective and not advisable, particularly since Iberian orcas are an endangered species.
However, leaving the area quickly can be helpful, as orcas are less likely to pursue a boat once it is outside their preferred territory. In Andrea Fantini’s case, the orcas remained for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, creating a daunting and seemingly endless experience. The team waited until the orcas had broken the rudder and departed. Fantini acknowledges that trying to outrun them is not a solution since the orcas are faster. The best precaution, he humorously suggests, is to bring a spare rudder in case of damage.
In summary, escaping from orcas during their interactions with boats is challenging due to their remarkable speed. While speed alone is not a solution, leaving the area swiftly may reduce the likelihood of continued pursuit. Preparedness with spare equipment, such as a rudder, can also be beneficial in case of damage.
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Source: BBC
